Joy is Professional Fuel
I’ve spent most of my professional life focused on achievement, productivity, and success. These goals have guided my work in HR and shape many of the ambitions my coaching clients bring into our sessions. For a long time, I thought of that drive as the core of what made work meaningful. And in many ways, it is.
Since starting my own business, I have encountered all the excitement and optimism, as well as all the worry and uncertainty, that comes with building something new.
The real surprise? Not how hard it has been — but how joyful it is.
Joy in learning how to be an entrepreneur.
Joy in feeling a true connection with my clients.
Joy in bearing witness to the growth, the pivots, and even the disappointments of colleagues, clients, and friends.
That joy didn’t erase the difficulty—but it gave it shape, purpose, and fuel. And it got me thinking: what if joy isn’t the result of professional success, but part of the way we create it?
“The more you think about others, the more joy you will have.”
— The Dalai Lama
We often think of joy as something spontaneous or fleeting—something to enjoy when the work is done. But what if joy, especially in our professional lives, is something deeper? A way to stay connected, grounded, and resilient in the face of constant demands?
What if joy isn’t the opposite of hard work, but one of the most reliable ways to sustain it?
In their co-authored book, The Book of Joy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama describe joy not as a lucky emotion, but as a cultivated mindset. It is grounded in compassion, humility, gratitude, forgiveness, and the ability to find meaning beyond ourselves. These aren’t soft concepts. They are practices that support resilience, creativity, and lasting impact.
Joy Is a Centering Force
Joy gives us the energy to rise above outcome-driven thinking. It allows us to care deeply about our work—without being defined by wins or losses. Instead of chasing validation or fearing failure, we reconnect to the deeper reasons we show up each day: to learn, to stretch, to connect, to contribute, and to witness the success of ourselves and others.
Joy helps us stay light on our feet while rooted in purpose. It keeps us present, energized, and open—especially in environments that often reward pressure over perspective.
And when things get stressful, joy becomes even more important.
“Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say, save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily. But we will laugh more easily, too.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Joy doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. The most sustaining joy is the kind that coexists with challenge. When stress rises, joy reminds us that we’re more than the problem we’re trying to solve. It creates just enough space to breathe, reset, and return to the moment with a bit more clarity. In difficult stretches, joy might look like:
A quiet pause between meetings
A message of appreciation or encouragement
A shared laugh with a teammate
A moment of remembering why this work matters
Joy isn’t about escaping stress—it’s about not being consumed by it. Even the smallest spark can help us reset and move forward with steadiness and heart.
Joy Is Everyone’s Job: A Shared Practice
Joy at work isn’t trivial—it’s transformational. It reminds us that we are people, not just producers. That behind every role and every deliverable is a human being with emotions, purpose, and a desire for connection. When we treat joy as a professional practice, we bring lightness, resilience, and humanity back into the workplace—without losing focus or accountability.
👩💼 For Employers & Leaders: Create Conditions for Joy
Model lightness without losing seriousnes:. A leader who laughs, smiles, or pauses to enjoy a moment sends the message that excellence and humanity can coexist.
Celebrate effort and progress: Recognize not just what got done, but how people showed up in the process.
Make space for connection: Casual conversations, shared meals, and inside jokes help build trust and emotional safety.
Honor purpose: Help your team see how their work matters—whether it’s to a client, a community, or a larger mission.
Support emotional well-being: Rest, boundaries, and joy aren’t indulgent—they are the foundation for sustainable performance.
👩💻 For Employees: Practice Joy Intentionally
Understand that lightness is not frivolous: A moment of humor or warmth builds connection and helps people feel seen. It’s a way of saying: We’re more than our inboxes.
Start a Joy Journal: The practice builds awareness—and intention. Ask yourself: What brought me joy today? What joy will I bring into my work or life tomorrow?
Acknowledge your wins: No matter how small, celebrate what you completed, created, or learned.
Infuse your day with joyful rituals: A favorite mug, a playlist, a five-minute walk—joy lives in the details.
Share in others’ joy: When a colleague is proud, delighted, or celebrating something personal—join them. Joy multiplies when it’s shared.
Joy Is Transcendent—And It Takes Practice
Joy allows us to be transcendent.
It lifts us—however briefly—above the grind of tasks, deadlines, and daily frustrations. Whether it’s the thrill of solving a complex problem, the laughter shared in a team meeting, or a quiet moment of pride in your work, joy reconnects us to something larger. It gives us energy, perspective, and the sense that we are part of something meaningful—not just productive. These are the moments when work becomes more than work.
And this takes practice.
Joy doesn’t always arrive on its own—it’s something we cultivate intentionally. Like any professional skill, the more we make space for it, the more naturally it shows up. The more we notice it, the more it grows.
A Final Reflection
Joy isn’t something we have to wait for—it’s something we can create. So ask yourself:
What act of joy will I bring into my work today?
Whose joy can I celebrate with today?
Because joy, when practiced intentionally, doesn’t take us away from our work. It brings us closer to the best of who we are when we do it.